Yachtmaster Coastal vs Offshore theory
Offshore Theory, written by a superyacht bosun with a commercial Yachtmaster Offshore · 28 October 2026
Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore share the same theory. What separates them is the practical: the experience you bring and how far from harbour you are judged fit to skipper. And the theory itself you can study in a classroom or online.
Same theory, different practical
The RYA has one theory course for both: the Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore theory course. It takes your theory to the standard required for the Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore practical exams, and the RYA gives it as 40 hours of learning plus exam time, with knowledge to the level of Day Skipper Shorebased expected before you start.
The RYA describes the two practical certificates like this. A Yachtmaster Coastal has the knowledge and practical experience to skipper a yacht on coastal cruises, but not necessarily the experience for longer passages. A Yachtmaster Offshore is competent to skipper a cruising vessel on any passage during which the yacht is no more than 150 miles from harbour, by day or night and in a wide range of weather conditions.
What each asks of you at sea
The minimum requirements for each practical exam, from the RYA. The sea time must be documented and completed in the last 10 years.
| Yachtmaster Coastal | Yachtmaster Offshore | |
|---|---|---|
| Form of exam | Practical | Practical |
| Minimum exam duration | 6–10 hours for one candidate, 8–14 hours for two | 8–12 hours for one candidate, 10–18 hours for two |
| Minimum age | 17 at the time of the exam | 18 at the time of the exam |
| Days at sea | 30 days on a vessel less than 24m LOA | 50 days on yachts up to 500gt |
| Days as skipper | 2, on a vessel less than 24m LOA | 5, on vessels less than 24m LOA |
| Miles | 800 | 2,500, on yachts up to 500gt |
| Night hours and passages | 12 night hours | 5 passages over 60 miles long, including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper |
| Tidal waters | At least half the sea time | At least half the sea time |
| Radio and first aid | A GMDSS compliant marine radio operator's qualification such as the RYA Short Range Certificate, or higher, and a valid first aid qualification | |
The RYA allows reductions to some of these for candidates who already hold a qualification at that level in another discipline (sail or power) and, for Coastal, a Coastal Skipper practical course completion. The details are on the RYA pages.
Both exams assess the same areas: skippering, boat handling, general seamanship, navigation, safety awareness, the collision regulations, meteorology and signals. The difference is the standard and the experience behind it.
Aiming for the Offshore in 2027: the requirements and a month-by-month plan →
Online vs classroom
The RYA says its theory course can be taken in the classroom, online or by distance learning. The content is the same; what changes is how you work through it.
- Time. In a classroom you follow the course's dates. Online, you set the pace, and you can go back over a part as often as you need.
- Practice. Chartwork and tides are learnt by doing them. Whichever you choose, what counts is how many fixes, tidal heights and courses to steer you work yourself, not how many you watch.
- Feedback. In a classroom you can ask the instructor. In Offshore Theory every answer comes with the reason, and every step of a chartwork exercise is checked as you go.
- Cost. Offshore Theory's full course is free for everyone with an account until 13 November 2026; sign up before then and lock the founder price, £149, for good. From 14 November it is £229, one payment.Offshore Theory's full course is £229, one payment (£149 for accounts created before 14 November). buoyage, lights and shapes, and the rules of the road are free with no account. Classroom course prices are set by each training centre.
Who should choose which
Coastal or Offshore is a question of experience, not theory: the theory is the same, so learn it once, and take the practical that matches the sea time you have.
Classroom or online depends on how you learn and on what you need at the end. If you need the RYA theory course itself, you take it with a training centre found through the RYA course finder, in a classroom or online. If what you need is to know the theory and be able to do it, by hand and on your own time, Offshore Theory is built for that, and it works alongside an RYA course as well: the chartwork builds to a whole passage plan across the Channel, and the course ends with a mock of the theory exam.
For what the theory covers, subject by subject, read the guide to the theory exam, or test yourself with the practice questions.
Try the rules of the road, free →
Questions
Do I need a different theory course for Yachtmaster Offshore than for Coastal?
No. The RYA's Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore theory course covers both: it takes your theory to the standard required for the Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore practical exams.
Can the RYA theory course be done online?
Yes. The RYA says it can be taken in the classroom, online or by distance learning.
What is the minimum age for each exam?
17 at the time of the exam for Yachtmaster Coastal, and 18 for Yachtmaster Offshore.
Is Offshore Theory the RYA course?
No. Offshore Theory is independent preparation for the theory, not run by the RYA. If you need the RYA theory course itself, you take it with a training centre found through the RYA course finder.